Propeller



Feb. 1,1927. 1,616,123

IR.R.-HICKLIN PROPELLER Filed June 26, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 llll lfif 1m IIIIIHHHIIIHHI n F mu Q Inventor. nzumnzm Attorney 1927- R. R. QHICKLIN PROPELLER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 26, 1926 Illll Illll dtzorney ERHZGZZZLW,

Patented Feb. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES- REGINALD RAY HICKLIN, OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

PROPELLER.

Application filed J'une 26, 1926. Serial No. 118,657.

The present invention relates to a propeller particularly designed for use with aeroplanes and in the aviation art generally. The object of the invention resides in the provisionof a propeller being mounted so that the pitch thereof will vary in accordance with the speed of the propeller, for the purpose of obtaining'a more'efiicient grip upon the air and for eliminating destructlve vibration.

The aeroplane propellers now in common use are subjected to an excessive very destructive vibration, because of the fixed pitch of the blades and the variable speed of the propeller in actual operation. This propeller, practically eliminates these objections.

Another very important object of the invention lies in the provision of a propeller with adjustable blades normally held at predeterminedpitches by springs, the tension of which may be varied by a simple adjustment, so that as the propeller increases in its speed of rotation, the pitch of the blades will be automatically accommodated to the speed of the propeller.

Another very important object of the 1nvention lies in the propeller structure having a plurality of parts capable of being easily assembled and disassembled.

A still further very important object of the invention lies in the provision of a propeller of this nature which is exceedingly simple in its construction, strong and durable, eificient and reliable in use, not likely to easily become out of order, compact, easy to adjust, and otherwise well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed;

With the above and numerous other objects in view as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention res des in certain novel features of construction, and 1n the combination and arrangement of arts as will be hereinafter more fully descri ed and claimed.

In the drawing Figure 1 is an elevation of the propeller embodying the features of my invention,

Fig. 2 is another elevation thereof, taken at right angles to that shown in Fig. 1,

F 3 is still another elevation thereof, taken at right angles to that shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section therethrouglr Fig. 5 is a transverse section thcrcthrough on an enlarged scale,

the line .5-5 of Fig. 4, and

Fig. 6 is an end elevation of the propeller.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the numeral 5 denotes the cylindrical casting or body of the propeller, on which is fixed a suitable member 6 in order that the-body may be engaged withthe engine shaft, not shown. This cylindrical body '5 is internally threaded at its ends for the purpose of receiving bearing retainers 7. These bearing retalnerssupport the propeller blade shafts .8 through the intermediacyof roller bearings 9, one at each end of each retainer. Blades 10 are fixed to the outer ends of the shafts 8. The inner ends of the taken substantially on shafts 8 have reduced extensions 11 for res -ceiving arms 12 which are held in place by cap screws 14 or any other suitable means.

The shafts 8 are held in place by suitable washers and nut locks 15. Bolts'17 extend laterally through openings in the ends of the arms 12. Each bolt 17 supports a cap 18. The caps 18 of each arm 12 point in opposite directions, as is clearly illustrated in ,Fig. 5. As the propeller is of identical construction at each end, one end only, will be described in detail for the purpose of simplicity. i

a Each end of the hody;5 has provided an internally threaded opening 19 for receiving the internally and externally threaded sleeve Springs 23 and 24 may be inserted through the sleeves 20 so that the inner ends of the springs may be engaged over the caps 18 while the outer ends may be received in the collars 22 when the plugs 21 are threaded in the sleeve's 20. These plugs are locked in place by plates 25 which have studs 26'.

' threaded in the outer ends of the plugs while the ends of the cap screws 27 Opposite the plug 21 associated with spring 24 an adjusting screw 28 is threaded through the body 5, in the path of movement of the adjacent end of the arm 12. The spring 23 is tcnsioncd by the plug 21 as may be desired for holding the blade at the desired tension, when stationary. Obvious plates are locked in place by more detailed description.

ly as the propeller increases in speed, the

- pitch of the blades will vary so as to obtain a greater grip on the air by lessening vibration and increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the propeller. The maximum power may be obtained.

It will be seen that this propeller allows the aeroplane or the like to get up speed quickly, thus enabling a quick get-away from the round. The assembly of the device shou d now be quite apparent without a In ascertaining the proper initial pitch of the blade it is preferable to ascertain this by a block test.

It is thought that the construction, operation, and advantages of this invention will now be clearly understood by those skilled in this art without a more detailed description thereof. The present embodiment of the invention has been disclosedein detail merely by way of example, since it attains the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention and the above description.

Numerous changes in the details of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed or sacrific- 39 ing' any of its advantages.

HUingthus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. A propeller including, in combination, a cylindrical hollow body internally threaded at its ends, bearing retainers threaded in the ends of the body, bearings in the ends of each retainer, shafts journaled in the bearings, propeller blades on the outer ends of the shafts, arms on the inner ends of the shafts, sprin s associated with the arms to hold the blades normally at predetermined pitches and tensioning means associated with said spring. Y

2. A fpropeller includinga cylindrical hollow bo y internally threaded at its ends, bearing retainers threaded in the ends of the body, bearings in the retainers, shafts journaled in the bearings, propeller blades on the outer ends of the shafts, arms mounted intermediate their ends on the inner ends of the shafts, springs engaged on the ends of the arms, members threaded through the sides of the hollow body and engaged with said sprlngs for tensioning them, and stop means adjustably mounted in the body associated with said arms to limit swinging thereof in one direction. 1

In testimony whereof I atlix'my signature.

REGINALD RAY HICKLIN. 

